"Relationships are like glass. Sometimes it's better to leave them broken than try to hurt yourself putting it back together."
- Unknown
Breaking up with a loved one can be a difficult time for everyone. But that doesn't mean the world has come to an end. Life has just given you a chance to revisit and pamper yourself with worldly things and get back to loving yourself. People have their own ways of getting over a breakup. Some would prefer listening to their favorite music or watching movies, some would spend more time with family or friends, while others would go out and simply party hard. And then there are the ones who would prefer to sit in a cozy place and indulge themselves in reading a book. Yes guys, books too, can be great breakup healers. For all those heartbroken avid book readers, Buzzle has a few suggestions for best books that you can read post breakup to get through the hard times.
Books to Heal a Broken Heart
Before we begin with the list of book suggestions, I wish to tell you that the list may not contain your favorite ones. You are free to add your favorite ones in our comments section below.
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ood Grief by Lolly Winston
The loss of her husband makes Sophie Stanton grief-stricken. She goes into deep depression and starts to do bizarre things, like wearing slippers to work, surrounding herself with her husband's clothes, and wearing oversized clothes. Eventually, she quits her job and relocates to a new town. Later, she finally decides to come out of her situation and get control of her life. Basically, she starts to "live" again.
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The Feel-good Factor
You will feel an instant connect with the grief of Sophie, for you will relate to losing someone you deeply love. The crazy things she does will actually help you laugh at your situation. Her revisiting of life and herself is something to take lessons from. Mind you, it is not a self-help book, but you will certainly feel light and relaxed after reading it.
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f I Stay by Gayle Forman
This debut novel by the author takes you through the journey of Mia, who along with her family, meets with a fatal accident. She loses her parents in the accident, but her brother is still alive. She herself has slipped into coma and is looking at her own body being treated in the hospital. Now, she has to make two choices: (i) whether to struggle to get back her life; or (ii) give up on life by dying.
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The Feel-good Factor
If you think you have lost everything after the breakup, you need to read this book. Mia's journey will make you revisit your own struggle, and you will feel all the more alive after reading it. As they say, there is a silver lining to every cloud even for the dark ones.
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at, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
This book has it all―breakup, a rebound relationship, and enjoying life. Gilbert separates from her husband after being caught in an unhappy marriage. She initiates a divorce and soon enters into a rebound relationship, which doesn't last long. Then to revive the liveliness in her life, she visits Italy where she indulges in the luxury of eating! Later, she goes to India to find spiritual peace. She finally lands in Indonesia, where she meets a businessman whom she falls in love with.
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The Feel-good Factor
The biggest lesson to learn from the book is "no rebound relationships" please. Give yourself time to come to terms with the situation. That doesn't mean you need to sit and sob the whole day in a dark room. Go out, and enjoy life. Do things that you were interested in but couldn't due to some hurdles. Have patience, and give yourself time.
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f We Ever Break Up, This Is My Book by Jason Logan
For someone who isn't quite interested in reading, this is the book. It has a collection of drawings and captions through which the story is told. The sketches are pretty self-explanatory. This book will make you cry, laugh, and accompany you in analyzing the situation you are currently in. Witty and funny―that is what this book is. Each page has some kind of self-help that are very practical to follow.
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The Feel-good Factor
All the emotions that you are going through after a recent breakup have been addressed. It will help you heal by laughing all along. One of the lines in the book says, "Getting a dog doesn't necessarily mean you have moved on . . . and particularly not if you give it the name you had picked for the baby." This is the kind of wit that will take you through the tough times. And just as the author mentions at the end, "Everything is going to be okay."
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one Girl by Gillian Flynn
A couple, who were celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary, suddenly gets separated when the wife disappears. No one knows about her whereabouts, and when Nick―the husband―starts to daydream about his wife's head, everyone thinks him to be the killer. Whether it's true, or is someone trying to plot against him, forms the rest of the story.
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The Feel-good Factor
Wondering why I suggested this book? Sometimes during a breakup, we get frustrated with all the advice and self-help guides that are suggested to heal our broken hearts. All we need is some kind of distraction; something that takes our mind away from reality. The book does exactly the same. Get lost in the world of Nick and his wife Amy, and find some real distraction that will take your mind off the tough times you are going through.
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mpossible is Stupid by Osayi Osar-Emokpae
The book is a collection of short but truly inspiring chapters. These chapters talk about the way we think and react in certain situations. It really drives us to rethink the way we behave in a given situation. And mind you, reading the book might drive you into indulging in some serious discussions.
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The Feel-good Factor
It is the most recommended book for those of you who thought that you cannot get over the loneliness and depression that you are suffering from. Though the book is written primarily for women, even a man will relate to the little things that are mentioned. And some hard-hitting questions, like
When was the last time you had a good belly-shaking-tear-jerking-snot-producing laugh? That long? really makes us think, doesn't it?
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he Secret by Rhonda Byrne
The secrets of life have been put together in this book. The book describes the "Law of Attraction" and how it can be put to use in one's life. The concepts that are mentioned in the book really get your brain working. One of the concepts mentioned in the book is that if we send out positive vibes, we will get the same in return. A person's vibration is ruled by his thoughts, and he attracts the same vibration from his environment.
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The Feel-good Factor
The best teaching the book imparts you with is to think positively. What has happened is past and should be left there. Going through a breakup doesn't mean you have lost all hope. Reinstill the hope and positivity in your life, and see how your life changes, for the good. This is one of the most recommended books for those who have developed negativity in their lives. Start to think in a positive manner people; you will start feeling good about yourself.
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rincess Bitch: The Sassy Guide to relationships, Power, and Success by Nicci Leigh
As the name suggests, the book is basically for women. There are some 13 golden rules that are mentioned in the book, which will help you reconnect with your feminine side. The book is a real quick read and takes you through every aspect of a relationship. It tells you how to become happy, successful, and satisfied. It's recommended for every woman of this era.
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The Feel-good Factor
Are you the kind who fears about her life or are the suppressed partner in the relationship just because you don't stand for yourself? In case your answer to the question is yes, you better grab a copy of this book. It teaches you to stand for yourself, overcome your fears, and the like. Such small alterations to your life will help you not only in your relationships and career, but also make you a less vulnerable person.
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mma by Jane Austen
This classic novel is one of the best works of Jane Austen. The story revolves around Emma who believes that she is so self-contented that she doesn't need to fall in love or get married. But, when she tries to find a suitable match for her protégé, she finds herself learning about relationships, and finally, she ends up getting married.
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The Feel-good Factor
Generally after a breakup, you develop a feeling of staying alone. You feel that you are better off without any partner. But having a partner with whom you can share your life with, doubles the joys of living and makes you happier. Explore the depth of relationships and reinstill belief in them by leafing through this book.
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he Underminer: The Best Friend Who Casually Destroys Your Life by Mike Albo, Virginia Heffernan
The Underminer is your evil friend who will remind you of every small mistake that you have made. She will drive you to actually hate her for spoiling other people's lives as well; in short, you can term her as a b***h. But that's what the book is meant to do. It is humorous and written in good satire.
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The Feel-good Factor
In case you are feeling really depressed and cannot get over your breakup, get a copy of this book, and read it in small snippets. You will be reminded of your stupid mistakes, and you can't help but laugh at them. And if you are kinda the evil type, gift it to your ex to remind him/her of the mistakes. This should work as sweet revenge!
These were some books that I thought would suit the situation you are in and may help you get out of it. But a few people love to read their childhood favorite stories during this period, just to get reminded of their beautiful life sans their ex. If you are that kinda person who generally loves to stick to his/her genre, we have a few recommendations from some specific genres as well. I have purposefully omitted the "romantic" genre, as currently, you may feel the need to stay away from the lovey-dovey stuff. Hope you enjoy the book recommendations.
Get Lost in the Fantasy World- Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling
- The Chronicles of Narnia (Chronicles of Narnia #1-7) by C.S. Lewis
- The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
Solve Some Cases- The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
- The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
- A Time to Kill by Joel Schumacher
- Before I Go to Sleep by S. J. Watson
- The Wig in the Window by Kristen Kittscher
LOL- Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding
- Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling
- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
- Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
- My Ex From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy Book 1) by Tellulah Darling
Wicked Laugh- Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
- Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
- Survivor by Chuck Palahniuk
- A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift
- Fool by Christopher Moore
Guys, a breakup is just an end of one phase of your life; not the end of life altogether. It may be difficult to restart your life without your ex, but remember that you did have a beautiful life before he/she entered your life. Get back to doing things you love to, and draw inspiration from these great works of authors.
